Seafood Tapas in Swansea, Wales: The Swigg

We made our way to Swansea, the second-largest city in Wales, located about an hour’s drive west of Cardiff. It’s known for its industrial heritage and beautiful Gower Peninsula coastline. Unfortunately for us, the weather had other plans that day — with heavy rain, strong winds, and low tide, there was really no coastline beauty to be seen. So instead of chasing stormy sea views, we decided to chase good food — and we stumbled upon a tapas-style seafood restaurant near the Maritime Quarter called The Swigg.

The Swigg isn’t flashy from the outside — a brick-red building with minimal signage. We almost thought we had the wrong place, until we spotted the name on the door. The inside is small and cozy, and since it was pouring outside, all the outdoor seating was closed and the indoor space was packed and a bit tight. The place doubles as a bar, which is pretty common in the UK — you’ll often find restaurants with built-in pubs or bar counters.

Beef Carpaccio: Thinly sliced raw beef, beautifully fresh and surprisingly tender. Paired with a flavorful sauce, the dish was soft, smooth, and zero gamey taste. A refined surprise for a pub-style menu!
Grilled Prawns: Fresh and juicy prawns, grilled and coated in sauce — super flavorful. My only complaint? Only 3 pieces on the plate! I could’ve easily eaten six. 😅
Fried Whelks: From the photo it looked like a large portion, but when it arrived, it was pretty tiny (the toothpick next to it gave it away 😆). Still, the whelks were chewy and unique, and the deep-fried prep made them a fun and unusual bite.
Grilled Fish: Can’t comment — didn’t get to try it! It disappeared before I could even sneak a bite. 😢
Truffle Fries: Now this one deserves a shoutout! At first glance, they looked like basic fries. But once you bite in — boom! Flavored with truffle oil and topped with Parmesan cheese, they were crispy, aromatic, and totally addictive. Highly recommend ordering a plate.

The seafood here was fresh, the flavors thoughtful, and the portions… well, a bit small. That’s typical of tapas-style dishes, where each plate is more of a “bite” than a full meal. So unless you’re planning to pair it with a few drinks, you might want to order a burger or a main dish to feel full. We didn’t — and ended up heading to a nearby supermarket for snacks afterward. 😂

Still, The Swigg was a lovely surprise on a rainy day in Swansea. Even though the storm ruined our beach plans, this cozy little spot delivered a taste of local seafood with a Welsh-meets-Spanish twist.

📍The Swigg
National Waterfront Museum, The swigg, Swansea SA1 3RD, United Kingdom